Category: Health Challenges
-
Recognizing and Soothing Skin Reactions from Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a crucial part of cancer treatment, but it often comes with side effects—particularly skin irritation. Understanding how to recognize and soothe these reactions can help improve comfort and promote healing. Common Radiation-Related Skin Issues Radiation therapy, while effective in targeting cancer cells, often leads to skin reactions due to its impact on…
-
Navigating Fatigue and Brain Fog in Blood Cancers: Holistic Support for Leukemia and Lymphoma Patients
Blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma present unique challenges, from aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants to the prolonged recovery periods that follow. These therapies are life-saving, but they often leave patients battling chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction a.k.a. “chemo brain“, and a weakened immunity. Managing these symptoms requires a holistic approach,…
-
Soothing the Gut: Managing Digestive Issues in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Patients with colorectal cancer frequently have digestive discomfort as a result of the disease or its treatments. Radiation, chemotherapy and surgery have a significant impact on the patient’s gut microbiome and as a result, their quality of life . Some of the symptoms can include, but are not limited to nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.…
-
The Science Behind Plastics and Cancer Risk: What You Can Do
Plastic is everywhere. From our kitchens to our cars and are even part of crucial processes in places like hospitals. Growing research indicates that certain chemicals have been proven to be harmful, especially when it comes to long-term cancer risk. While we’re not calling for panic or perfection, small shifts in how we interact with…
-
Understanding Chronic Inflammation: Causes, Risks, and Prevention
Have you ever noticed a red, swollen bump after an injury or insect bite? That’s acute inflammation—your body’s natural defense mechanism to heal itself. Similarly, inflammation can occur inside your body as well. This presents differently as symptoms that may seem unrelated. When inflammation persists for months or even years without an apparent cause, it…
-
Coping with Nausea and Appetite Loss During Chemotherapy: Holistic Tips that Help
Chemotherapy is a life-saving treatment, but its side effects particularly nausea and appetite loss can make eating a challenge. Comfort and nutrition throughout this trying time can be enhanced by knowing the causes of these symptoms and how to treat them holistically. Why Nausea and Appetite Loss Happen Chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells, including those…
-
Artificial Sweeteners and Health Hazards
Artificial sweeteners, also known as low-calorie sweeteners (LCS), are sugar substitutes added to foods and beverages to provide sweetness without the calories of regular sugar. These intense sweeteners can be hundreds to thousands of times sweeter than sugar, making them popular in “diet” or “sugar-free” products. There are six LCS (low calorie sweeteners) approved by…
-
The Power of Antioxidants: Protecting Your Health from Free Radical Damage
Understanding Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress Before diving into antioxidants, it’s important to understand free radicals, these are harmful molecules that form naturally in our bodies and come from things like pollution, cigarette smoke, junk food and sunlight. Because of their unequal electron count, these compounds are extremely reactive and have the potential to harm…
-
From Frying to Fresh: How Cooking Methods Can Impact Cancer Risk (And What to Do Instead)
We all love the sizzle of a grill or the crispy crunch of fried dishes, but did you know that high-heat cooking methods can create dangerous compounds from seemingly harmless food? These compounds can, in turn, increase your risk of cancer. The good news? Small modifications in how you cook can drastically minimize risks while…
-
The Gut-Brain Axis: How Your Gut Influences Your Mind
Before a significant presentation, have you ever experienced “butterflies” in your stomach? Have you ever suffered from gastrointestinal distress when under stress? These feelings draw attention to the gut-brain axis, the intriguing relationship between your gut and brain. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, enteric nervous system (ENS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), and central nervous system (CNS)…